Google's self-driving cars spurned by manufacturers

Google is intending to design and develop its own self-driving
cars after being brushed off by the major car companies, according
to reports.

The company, which made its name with its search engine, has
held talks with a number of manufacturers to build cars to Google's
specifications -- a bit like the company's early approach to
Android.

But the talks failed to yield a deal, so Google is planning to
build the vehicles itself instead -- a bit like its more recent
approach to laptops with Chromebooks.

Google is considering selling its cars to individuals, but is
also mulling a "robo-taxi" service that picks passengers up
on-demand and delivers them to their destination. The idea,
according to former Wall St Journal reporter Amir Efrati
quoting an anonymous source, is to pressure the major car
companies into embracing self-driving technology.

Such taxis would initially, for safety, include someone sitting
behind the wheel in case of emergencies. But longer-term that may
no longer be the case.

The challenge will be commercialising the project. Google will
need to make a distribution deal with a car company that has
existing dealer relationships. Plus they'll be expensive -- its
existing fleet of Toyota hybrids cost $150,000 (£96,000) each.

Finally, it'll need to clear regulatory hurdles. Many countries
and US states have no legislation covering autonomous vehicles on
public roads.